Howard County, MD Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing subtitle
- County Code §§ 17.800-17.805
- County license required
- No, only State authorization
- Enforcing agency
- Howard County Department of Police
- Criminal penalty
- Up to $1,000 fine or 6 months
- Civil offense class
- Class A offense, Title 24
- State authority
- Bd. of Massage Therapy Examiners
Summary
Howard County does not issue its own massage-establishment license. County Code § 17.800 lets police enter and inspect massage businesses to confirm each practitioner holds the State massage-therapy authorization required by Maryland's Health Occupations Article, and operating without it or blocking an inspection is a misdemeanor.
(a)Purpose. The purpose of this subtitle is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Howard County by allowing the County to investigate possible criminal activity of individuals and businesses holding themselves out as providing massage while ensuring minimal disruption to massage practitioners who are authorized under State law.(b)Scope. This subtitle shall apply to:(1)Any individual who provides massage, solicits customers to provide massage, or holds themselves out as providing massage; or(2)Any business that solicits customers to provide massage or holds itself out as providing massage. ... (a)Authority to Enter—Public Areas. For the purpose of ensuring compliance with Health Occupations Article, section 6-301 of the Annotated Code of Maryland, the Chief may enter the public areas of a massage establishment:(1)Upon exhibiting proper credentials; and(2)At any time during business or operating hours.(b)Entry Required. A person may not deny entry to the Chief in the performance of the Chief's duties under this subtitle.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 91 | Zoning: Supplement 25).
Full Breakdown
Subtitle 8 of Title 17, adopted by County Bill 21-2017, does not create a separate county massage license. 800(b) applies to any individual or business that provides massage, solicits customers for massage, or 'holds themselves out as providing massage,' whether or not they are actually licensed. 802(b) makes it a violation to deny that entry. 00 or up to six months in jail, or both. The Department may also report violations to the State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners, which controls the underlying license. This right of entry does not limit inspection authority the County already has under the Fire Prevention Code or the Howard County Health Code.
Violations & Fines
Refusing the Chief of Police entry to a massage establishment's public areas, or operating without displaying State authorization, is enforceable either as a civil citation, a Class A offense under Title 24 with each day a separate violation, or as a criminal misdemeanor carrying up to $1,000.00 in fines, up to six months in jail, or both, under § 17.804.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Howard County issue a massage establishment license?
Can police enter a massage business without notice?
What happens if a massage establishment operates without displaying its State authorization?
Does the County report violations to the State?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Howard County
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